From the Rockies to Lake Ontario, Nonstop Adventure in Canada

Escape the impending Texas heat and discover cooler temperatures and northern adventures in nonstop destinations across Canada! From the foothills of the Rockies to the shores of Lake Ontario, it’s easier than ever to head north and experience all that Calgary and Toronto have to offer.

As Canada’s fifth largest city, Calgary blends modern cosmopolitan arts and culture with small town western charm, all while being just a short drive away from stunning outdoor experiences.

In the summer, when temperatures have an average high of 76 degrees, Calgary truly lives up to its nickname, Cowtown, as thousands of visitors head to the city for the annual Calgary Stampede. “The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth,” the Stampede is Canada’s largest rodeo complete with concerts, competitions and an epic evening stage show. This year, the 10-day event runs from July 5-14.

For those seeking a bit more of the great outdoors, Calgary is about an hour’s drive from the awe-inspiring Banff National Park and the majesty of the Bow River. In the heart of the Canadian Rockies, this incredible region offers alpine adventures with breath-taking vista amid snow-capped mountain and all sorts of summer activities including world-class fly fishing on the banks of the Bow River.

Seasonal nonstop service from Austin to YYC Calgary International Airport on WestJet Airlines begins May 2, 2019. For more information on WestJet's new route, visit www.westjet.com/ .

Across the country, on the shores of Lake Ontario, is Toronto, “Canada’s Downtown.” As Canada’s largest city, there’s always something to see or do!

The Toronto International Film Festival, one of the largest film festivals in the world, is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to exploring Toronto’s arts and culture scene, with all sorts of festivals taking place throughout the summer.

Beyond that is shopping in the iconic St. Lawrence Market, the Hockey Hall of Fame, catching a Blue Jays baseball game, and the Canadian National Exhibition in August – an 18-day massive celebration of all things Canada.

Air Canada offers twice-daily nonstop daily nonstop service between Austin-Bergstrom International Airport and Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ). Travelers can learn more and search flights online at www.aircanada.com.

Celebrate Summer in Cincinnati

photo courtesy of Bunbury Music Festival

Music fans will want to book now to head to Cincinnati for this year’s Bunbury Music Festival,
May 31 through June 2, 2019. Nonstop flights on Allegiant Air, Delta and Frontier make it easier than ever to get to the show to experience this year’s all-star lineup of rock, pop and hip-hop. Every year the festival attracts more than 40,000 attendees to enjoy more than 100 performances at the city’s Sawyer Point Park.

This year the city is also celebrating the 150th anniversary season of the Cincinnati Reds, so there’s no better time to visit the Great American Ball Park on the shores of the Ohio River.

Austin 9-Gate Expansion Opens

The Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, in seeking to elevate the passenger experience, opened Phase I of the new 9-gate expansion. The expansion became operational on Barbara Jordan’s birthday, Feb. 21 with a Delta to Atlanta flight at 5:40 a.m.

The completion of Phase I of the expansion includes the opening and operation of the terminal addition, and the north facing jet bridges of Gates 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9 and 11.

Phase II includes the removal of the temporary jet bridges used during construction that are each 720, 560, 440 and 300 feet each. Construction to remove the jet bridges has already started. Phase II also includes the opening of Gates 6, 8, 10 and 12, additional apron work and the completion of the concession and store locations.

Adding nine new gates to the terminal will increase the total number of gates to 34. This includes increasing international flight gates from two to six. The terminal expansion project is nearly 175,000 square feet

Burgers Abound at Two New Airport Establishments

Travelers at Austin-Bergstrom now have not one, but two, new restaurants to sit down and enjoy a fresh grilled specialty hamburger, complete with all the fixings.

Hut’s Hamburgers, an Austin classic hamburger joint has made its debut at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, with a spot across from Gate 14. Located near Checkpoint 1 as travelers entering the concourse, Hut’s is located in the former Saxon Pub location.

Hut’s Hamburgers started in 1939, has been drawing in locals and tourists with its great tasting burgers like the Fats Domino, with jalapeños, onions and spicy New Orleans seasonings. Other specialty burgers such as The Big Popper, The Alan Freed Burger, and Mr. Blue, with crumbles, dressing and Swiss cheese can meet travelers’ mouth-watering needs.

Now open near Gate 24, Haymaker brings the neighborhood sports bar feel to the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. A local Austin favorite originally located on Manor Road, Haymaker is known for delivering regionally-inspired, comfort crafted food.

The new airport location offers a similar menu to the original Haymaker, including their hallmark big and burly open-faced sandwiches on Texas toast and poutine topped with country brown gravy and melting Wisconsin cheese curds.

Hut’s is open daily from 4 a.m. until 9 p.m. or until the last flight. Haymaker is open every day at
5 a.m. serving up a full breakfast menu until 10:30 a.m. and closes at 7:30 p.m. or after last flight.

On Another Note

KUTX Brings Local Sounds to Airport

An exciting new music partnership for travelers at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport has started, featuring local sounds and musicians.

From the curbside to the concourse, the overhead music now playing throughout the Barbara Jordan Terminal is a live-streamed playlist of all Austin artists, hand-selected by local public radio station KUTX 98.9 FM.

“The minute travelers step off of the plane in Austin they will know that they’ve arrived in the Live Music Capital of the World,” said Michael Pennock, Music Coordinator for Austin-Bergstrom.

The stream will feature a wide variety of local music, from classic Texas swing, country, rock, pop and hip-hop, explained Pennock, with KUTX adding and updating the playlist on a regular basis.

“KUTX is thrilled to partner with our friends at Austin-Bergstrom to spread the gospel of Austin music,” said Matt Reilly, Program Director for KUTX. “Introducing the Austin Music Experience to a global audience will further strengthen this cultural and economic pillar of our city.”

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Jim Smith Named AXN Director of the Year

Congratulations to Jim Smith, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport’s Executive Director, on being named Director of the Year in the medium airports category by Airport Experience News (AXN). Smith was recognized not only for his 18 years of leadership at the Austin airport, but for his ability to develop and employ creative solutions, such as public-private partnerships, as passenger traffic in the Airport of Choice for Central Texas continues to grow at an average rate of 9.5%.

Smoking Area Moves

Airport smoking areas have moved to the ends of the upper and lower levels of the passenger pick up and drop off areas. Signs and painted markings on the ground are displayed to designate these areas located outside the airport terminal.